Will There Be $1,400 Stimulus Checks? Pressure Builds On Biden, Congress For Third Direct Payment

President Joe Biden is under pressure to produce results after proposing his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan, which would include $1,400 stimulus checks for Americans following the last round of $600 direct payments.

Since taking office on Jan. 20, Biden has signed a number of executive orders but he wants Congress on his side when it comes to passing the latest stimulus bill.

Although Democrats would prefer to make the latest payouts to be a part of a bipartisan bill, the party is having a tough time appeasing Republicans. The Trump administration had also pushed for $2,000 checks but settled for $600 in December after a lack of support in Congress.

Many Republicans think the price tag is too steep and are against the provisions.

“Too much of the money is not directly going to the people who need it the most,” said Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., who took office on Jan. 3.

The last stimulus check specifically targeted individuals making less than $75,000 a year and married couples making less than $150,000. In order to send out a third check, Biden revealed he would be opened to negotiating who would be eligible to receive the money.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., on Saturday called for Congress to pass the bill to help families who have been financially affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

“Millions are struggling to pay their bills and put food on the table. We need to pass COVID relief legislation. Now,” Klobuchar tweeted.

Although Biden is already struggling to get his new bill approved by Republicans, some members of the House are pushing for Americans to receive monthly payments of $2,000 until the pandemic is over, CBS News reports.

“One more check is not enough during this public health and economic crisis,” they wrote in a signed letter sent to Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

“Many families cannot afford to wait for eight months between payments. To truly build back better, families need stability and certainty through ongoing relief — they cannot be at the mercy of congressional gridlock.”

Over the last 10 months, the coronavirus pandemic has claimed more than 430,000 lives in the U.S. and produced record-high unemployment rates.